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An American Slave in Great Britain*We can hardly resist the temptation whichimpels us to lay before our readers the tollowingLetter from Frederick Douglass, an AmericanSlave now in Great Britain, to the Boston Liberator. There are passages in it which, for genuine eloquence, would do honor to any writerof the English language, however eminent;while it is worthy of study as a transcript of thefeelings of one to whom his native land deniesa home except on conditions which involve thesacrifice of his inalienable rights and the loss ofthat happiness which freedom only can confer. It seems almost incredible that such a letter could have been written by a man who has graduated in no institution save that “ peculiar”one known as American Slavery. How rnaDyof the white opponents of Colored Suffrage canwrite as well ?v Victoria Hotel, Belfast, Jan. 1, 1846.T am now about to leave the Emerald Isle,for Glasgow, Scotland. I have been here a little more than four months. Up 10 this time. I have given no direct expression of ihe views, feelings and opinions which I have formed, respecting thecharacter and condition of the people o( thisland. I have refrained thus purposely. I wish to speak advisedly, and in order to do this, I have waited till I trust experience has brought my opinions to an intelligent maturity. I have been thus careful, not because I think what I may say will have much effect in shaping the opinions of the world, but because whatever of influence I may possess, whether little or much1 wish it to go tn the right direction, and according to truth. I hardly'need say that, in speak-nig of Ireland, I shall be influenced by no prejudices in favor of America. I think my circumstances all forbid that. I have no end toserve, no creed to uphold, no government to defend; and as to nation, I belong to none, I have no protection at home, no resting place abroad. The land of my birth welcomes me to her shores only as a slave, and spurns with contempt the idea of treating me differently. Sothat I am an outcast from the society of mychildhood, and an outlaw in the land of mybirth. “ I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers were.” That men should be patriotic is to me perfectly natural; and as a philisophical fact, I am able to give an intellectual recognition But no farther can I go If ever I had any patriotism, or any capacityfor the feeling, it was whipt out of me longsince by the lash of the American soul drivers.T._ .t • i.». .. . e i ... • r A
Newspaper Details
Auburn Journal and Advertiser
Auburn, New York, US
Wed, Feb 11, 1846
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Harvard U.
MA, USA 17 Feb 2018
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